Big Sis, Little Sis Owl Messenger Bags

I’m Jo from Jo’s Country Junction. I am so excited to bring to you my latest Moda Bake Shop project, “Big Sis, Little Sis Owl Bags.” You can make one bag or both bags. If you read on, you will even find out how to get instructions for a matching tiny baby owl bag that can be used as a coin purse. Grab some “Just Wing It” fat quarters and a little bit of yardage and let’s start sewing.

Buttons for eyes Scrap of DecoBond Scrap of Heat and Bond
2 Scraps of leftover quilt batting the size of your fat quarter

Please note: THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN FOR THE SMALL BAG. TO MAKE THE LARGE BAG USE THE MEASUREMENTS IN PARENTHESES.

Draw out a pattern using the following measurements.This will be the front and back of the bag.

Base 7″ (12″) Height 6″ (9″) Top 4.25″ (9″)

Cut a 12″ x 20″ (18″ x21″) piece of fabric from your fabric that will be the outside.Cut a piece of batting that is slightly bigger.Machine quilt the to pieces together using a scalloped type quilting pattern.

From a contrast fabric cut 2-4.5″ x 5″ (6.5″ x 6′) pieces for an inside pocket.Put the pieces right sides together.Sew around the edge as shown leaving an opening.Clip the corners.Turn right side out.Hand stitch the opening shut.

Stitch to the back piece as shown.

Now assemble you lining using the same steps that you used to sew the outside of the bag together.Clip the corner seams.

Now tuck the lining into the bag putting the WRONG sides together.Pin the seams together as shown.

Cut 2-2.5″ strip of fabric for the binding. Using one strip, bind the top edge of the bag just as you would bind a quilt.I sewed thebinding to the outside and flipped it over to the inside, hand sewing the binding in place.

Tomake the flap, cut a 5.5″ x 5.5″ (11″ x 5.75″) piece of lining fabric and one the same size of the machine quilted pieces.Layer them wrong sides together.Bind three of the sides with the other 2.5″ binding strip.

Find the center of the back side of the bag.Find the center of the flap.Match them up as shown.Pin the flap in place about 1/4″ below the binding strip.Sew into place.

Trim the seam to only 1/8″.Turn the flap into position.Pin in place.Stitch 1/2″ from the fold covering the raw edge.

Using the beak pattern provided in the printable version, cut two beaks from fabric and one from decobond.Put the fabric pieces right sides together.Layer that on top of the decobond piece.Sew along the two curved sides using a 1/4″ seam allowance.Trim.Turn right sides out.Iron.Turn the straight open edge in, iron.

Sew the beak in place on the center of the flap as shown.

To make the eyes cut a 5″ x 2.5″ (7″ x 3.5″) piece of the outside bag fabric and one of a contrasting fabric.Cut a piece of heat and bond that is that size as well.Adhere the heat and bond to the back ofone of the pieces of fabric.Then adhere the other piece of fabric to the heat and bond making a fabric and heat and bond sandwich.Using the fabric, cut two 2′ (3″) circles.

Cut a piece of contrasting fabric that is 1.5″ by 3.5″ (2.5″ x 5″).Cut a piece of heat and bond the same size.Adhere to fabric.Cut two 1″ circles.Adhere to the middle of the 2″ circles.Using a scissor, fringe the outside edge of the 2″ circle.

Now all that is left is the strap. To make them cut two 2″ x 28″ (2.5″ x 42) pieces of fabric and one of batting. Layer the batting between the fabric and machine quilt. Pin the strap to the purse testing the length. If you want it shorter, now is the time to trim it. Cut 2 (3) binding strips. Bind the strap as you would bind a quilt.

Position the strap as shown and stitch in place.

Your bag is finished…unless, of course, you are making one of each size….Remember the directions for the large bag are in parentheses.

If you look at the photo of the finished bags you will see a picture of a tiny matching purse. If you want to learn how to make that, head on over my blog, Jo’s Country Junction, and you’ll see a little tutorial on how to make it. If you make it without the handle, it’s a darling little coin purse. I am giving away my extra scraps so you might want to check that out too.

Jo Kramer and oldest daughter, Kelli Kramer, spend many weekends together while the men in their lives are busy farming. During these weekend hang out sessions, they are busy creating quilts, cooking, remodeling, canning, gardening and laughing at the antics of their beagle dogs, Ruby and Puppycat.

The gals are avid bloggers adding regular new blog posts daily.You can read about their adventures atjoscountryjunction.com.

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The individual designers featured on this website ultimately hold the copyright for their projects and designs posted on the Moda Bake Shop. Patterns are not intended for sale or digital distribution. All items made from Moda Bake Shop patterns are for personal, non-commercial use only, unless given explicit written permission from the design owner to sell finished products made from their pattern tutorials featured on the Moda Bake Shop.